Yes, I am a proud independant title agent. I love that I answer to no one other than myself (and of course the underwriter) and that I make decisions based on my experience and work ethic when it comes to issuing a title policy for a consumer. 

So, having said that, you may wonder as to the title of this discussion. I have absolutely no intention of joining or forming an AfBA but I am seriously concerned about the future of independants in today's market.

Over the last 2 months I have made a very dedicated effort to gain a foothold in a few of my local real estate offices and mortgage lender's offices.   I have met with resistance in some cases and absolute rudeness in others. It has only been those agencies that are independantly owned where I have been welcomed with warmth. All of the other agencies have either taken my literature and said they would distribute it (haha into the garbage bin) or they have actually refused to even accept my literature because of their affiliations with title agencies.

How then are we to remain an active and viable presence in the marketplace?  I wish I had some answers but I am totally stumped. I have read more books than I can count on marketing a small service related agency. I have implemented some of the ideas which I thought made sense and am constantly writing and blogging about issues relating to title specifically and real estate generally. I spend at least an hour a day touching base with my current clients, a quick e-mail or a quick phone call to say HI.  I honestly believe that I work my marketing plan daily without fail.  All to no avail!!

One of the problems that I am personally facing has to do with "give aways" and "enticements". I realize that rules differ from state to state but in Maryland we are absolutely prohibited from giving anything to realtors or lenders to entice business.  Not to mention RESPA. I personally like these rules, but I don't believe that a lot of agencies are following the rules to the "letter of the law". We are allowed to "give" a thing of value to the consumer (through the realtor) but these days everyone's pricing is just about the same and unless you want to work for free there is just not a lot of wiggle room.

It is not enough anymore to say with absolute confidence and conviction that you are an EXPERT in your field and that you are looking out for the best interest of the consumer, that just does not seem to matter these days.  It's all about how the realtor or lender will "benefit" from a referral, whether as a result of an AfBA or an enticement that is made against the rules.

So, if anyone has any really good suggestions as to how to get the proverbial "foot in the door" could you please share?